Question

Chemical test to distinguish between oxalic acid and formic acid

Answer 1

Hello! !!!
Here's ur answer!!
Test 1: To distinguish between formic acid and acetic acid use tollens(tollens reagent = ammonical silver nitrate solution) test(silver mirror) or fehling solution . Formic acid gives positive indicated by the formation of a silver mirror( Silver oxide precipitate on the walls of the test tube) test but acetic acid fails to form a silver mirror.
This is because the formic acid behaves as an aldehyde as there is a CHO group the other side of the OH group and it is easily oxidised to CO2.
Test 2: Take 3 drops of both the formic acid and acetic acid in 2 different test tubes, add 1 ml of distilled water, & 1-2 drops of dilute KMnO4 solution - the formic acid instantly decolorises pink color of KMnO4, while acetic acid does not.
Hope u liked my answer. ..Please Mark me as brainliest. ..

Answer 2

Hey dear,

● Formic acid vs Oxalic acid -
Formic acid has molecular formula H-COOH & oxalic acid has general formula HOOC-COOH.

As formic acid has α-H atom, it reduces tollen's reagent to metallic silver.
H-COOH + 2Ag(NH3)2OH --> 2Ag + CO2 + 2H2O + 4NH3


Oxalic acid having no α-H atom, can't reduce tollen's reagent.
HOOC-COOH + 2Ag(NH3)2OH --> NO REACTION


Hope this helps you...